Loading machine



1,581,705 0. E. WAXBOM LOADI HG MACHINE April 20,1926.

Filed June 24, 924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I v lnuanlor- I Char/emf. WaxbonL I ZZWM 4 Fetented Apr. 26, 1926.

warren stars ssmes G FFEQEQ essiencn 'rc TEE JEFFREY M NU- onro, A oonreneeron or OHIO.

LOADING MACHINE.

Application filed June 24, 1924. Serial No. 722,079.

T 0 all 207mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, Crmnnns E. VAX- nosi, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Loading Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in loading machines, and particularly to machii'ies adapted to gather broken and dislodged coal from the floor of amine and transfer it to suitably disposed receptacles for transportation from the mine. i

There have heretofore been proposed numerousmachines of the type described, having conveyors adapted to receive material in front of the machine at points adjacent the mine floor. Some of these machines have been provided with wedgcdike inclined shovels adapted, as the machine is moved bodily forward, to be thrust under the piles of broken coal to transfer such material onto the conveyor. es heretofore constructed, such machines have been unsatisfactory, for the reason that engagement of the shovel with irregularities; of the mine floor tends to obstruct forward movement of the machine.

It is the especial object of this invention to provide, in a machine of the class deseribed,-. dislodging mechanism associated with the inclined shovel whereby irregular masses of coal adhering to the mine floor may be broken loose so as to permit bodily advance of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for forcing the inclined shovel under the piles of broken and dislodged material.

The meanswhere'by I attain these objects are fully set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a loading machine equipped with the devices of my invention.

Fig. 2is a plan view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away to reveal other parts. A I

Fig. 3 is p a fragmentary plan view, on

an enlarged scale, of the inclined shovel, certain parts being broken away to reveal other parts.

accompanying.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVIV of Fig. 2.

F 1g. 5 1s a sectional view taken alongthe line V-V of Fig.

Referring to the drawings by numbers, like numbers referring to like parts in the several views, my improved loading machine comprises a base frame 1 which is adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction'over the floor of the mine. Mounted upon the base frame 1 is a conveyor of the type commonly'used in machines of this character,

and comprisingan elongated trough 2 along which travels a pair of similar endless chains connected at spaced intervals by cross bars 3 which are adapted to engage material in said trough and propel it therealong;

The conveyor trough 2 comprises a substan; tially horizontal receiving section 4 positioned adjacent the mine floor, an inclined elevating section 5, and a substantially horizontal delivery section 6 adapted to project above the receptacle which is to be loaded. In Fig.

tion, but it is to be understood that any preferred type of chain suitable to the conditions under which the machine operates may be employed.

Conveniently mounted uponthe base plate 1 is an electric motor 8 which is connected through a suitable train of transmission gearing-with a pair of sprocket wheels 9" adapted to. engage the lower strand of the conveyor-chains 7 to actuate said chains and to propel the material along the trough in the manner which is well understoodin the art. Electric current; for the actuation of the motor 8 may be derived from any convenient source of supply in any suitable manner, but-as such devices are well understood in the art, and as they form no part in the present invention, their illustration and 4i 1 have shown at 7 one type of chain suitable to the purposes of the. invenguide sheaves 16 and 17, are adapted to be secured to suitable anchor acks, not shown in the drawings, towards which the machine may be drawn by the winding ofthe ropes about their respective drums. By suitably positioning these anchor jacks the machine may be bodily moved and guided in any preferred direction in'the manner which is well understood in the mining machine art. As all of these devices are well known in the art, and as they form no part of the present invention, further illustration and description of them is not thought to be required at this time.

Rigidly attached to the main frame 1, and projecting forwardly beyond the receiving end of the conveyor 4- is a frame extension preferably composed of the casting 18, the upper surface of which is inclined forwardly and downwardly to form a wedge adapted to be thrust beneath a pile of broken and dislodged coal when the machine is moved bodily forwa d. 'This wedge constitutes the inclined shovel extension over which the coal slides onto the conveyor. The forward edge or tip of the wedge 18 is preferably formed of a plurality of chisel like memberslt), which are longitudinally reciprocable in guideways 20 formed in the wedge casting. As these chisel members and their actuating mechanisms are alike, a description of one will apply to all.

Extending rearwardly from each chisel member 19 is a stem 21 which terminates in a head, or anvil 22 in position to receive the blows of an impact device such as the oscillating hammer 23. The impact device 23 may be of any preferred design adapted to strike a rapid succession of blows upon the anvil. For purposes of illustration I have shown a pneumatically actuated hammer comprising a hollow. piston 23 adapted to reciprocation in a cylinder 24 extending longitudinally of the machine, the forward end of said piston being adapted to contact with the anvil 22, as above described. Aetuating fluid is supplied to the cylinder 2 L through a supply pipe 25 from any convenient source, as, for example, from an electrically actuated air compressor 26 mounted upon the main frame of the machine. The hollow piston 23 is provided with suitable ports 27 and 28 adapted to control the flow of said actuating fluid into and out of said cylinder, to produce rapid oscillation oftlie piston 23 in the manner which is well understood in the art. A suitable valve 29 is provided in the supply pipe 25 to control the actuation of thehammers. I

The action of thehammers 23.011 the anvils, and the resultant thrusts ofthe chisel member 19, may, of course, be varied, as desired. They may be actuated simultaneously, in series, in pairs,-in fact, in any combinations found useful. This may be done by so positioning the parts and passages for the air as to give the proper application and exhaust of pressure to bring about proper timing, or other systems'of air control well known to the pneumatic hammer art can be used.

it will be observed that the member 18 houses and protects very completely the working parts of the mechanism, so that danger of derangement or breakage of the operating devices is eliminated. This is of importance as the work is heavy, and it is desirable that the impact mechanism be arranged as close to .the point of impact as possible. By arranging all of the parts in the head 18, as shown, a compact structure is provided. Furthermore, such head may be readily removed for repair or replacement without any general taking down of the machine, it being necessary only to detach the iiuid pressure connections and the fastenings of the head 18.

Although my improved loading machine is adapted to use in a variety of places and under various conditions, it is designed primarily for use in coal mines to gather the disrupted and dislodged coal from the floor of the mine and load it into suitable cars, or other receptacles, for transportation from the mine. After a mass of coal has been disrupted and dislodged in any preferred manner, such as by blasting, my improved loading machine will be positioned with its inclined shovel adjacent the pile of broken coal. The feed ropes 14: and 15 are then drawn, out from their respective winding drums and attached to suitably positioned anchor jacks. Suitable manipulations of the hand wheels 10 and 11 will cause the actuation of the friction clutches associated with the drums 12 and 13 to exert winding torque and thereby producing tension on said feed ropes, which tend to move the machine bodily forward and to thrust the inclined shovel under the pile of coal. As the machine advances the broken coal slides upon the inclined shovel onto the conveyor by which it is carried away. Frequently irregular fragments of coal are left adhering to the mine floor, and, if not dislodged, present obstructions to further advance of the machine. However, when these masses of coal contact with the chisel members 19, the latter are driven forward by the hammers 23 to cut off such obstructions and smoothen the mine floor. In like manner these chisel members 19 are driven forcibly under blocks of coal which are more or less interlocked, thereby greatly facilitating the advance of the inclined shovel and materially assisting in the loading operation.

As the machine advances the eciprocation of the hammers 23 and their-impact upon the anvils 22 producerhythmical forward pulsations in the entire shovel structure which augment the effectiveness of the feeding mechanism to force the shovel beneath the pile of loose material.

Changes involving only mechanical skill, or the adoption of expedients which are the equivalents of those herein disclosed, are to be regarded as within the rangeof my 111- vention.

I claim 1. In a loading machineof'the class described, the combination with tL'SllOVGl-llliG member adapted to be brought into working relation toapile of loose material, means tending to advance said member, and impact devices independent of said advancing means tending to drive said member forwardly.

2. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination with a shovel-like member adaptedto be brought into working relation to a pile of loose material, means tending to advance said member, and a rci'procating hammer independent ofsaid advancing means tending to drive said member forwardly.

In a loading machine of the class described, the combination with a shovel-like member adapted to be broughtinto working relation to apile of'loose material, means tendingto advance said member, a cutting device mounted at the forward edge of said member, and means independent of said advancing means tending to drive said cutting device forwardly.

l. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination with a shovel-like member adapted to be broughtinto working relation to a pile of loose material, means tending to advance said member, a cutting device mounted at the forward edge of said member, and an impact device independent of saidadvancing means tending to drive said cutting device forwardly.

5. Ina loading machine ofthe'class described, the combination with a shovel-like member adapted to be brought into working relation to a pile of loose material, means tending to advance said member, a plurality of cutting devices mounted at the forward edge of said member, pact devices independent of said advancing means tending to drive said cutting devices forwardly.

6.. In a loading machine of the class de scribed, the combination with ashovel-like member adapted to be brought into working relation to a pile of loose material, means tending to advance said member, a plurality of cutting devices mounted at the forward edge of said member, and a plurality of impact devices independent of said advancing means tending to drive independently each of said cutting devices forwardly.

7. In a loading machine of the class de scribed, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon said frame,

and a plurality of im an inclined shovel-like member carried by said frame in front of said conveyor, means bodily to move said frame to bring said member into working relation to apile of loose materialvwh ch ls to be loaded, and

reciprocating devices independent of said' advancing means tending to drive said member forwardly.

8. In a loading machine of the class de scribed, the combination of asupportmg frame, a conveyor mounted upon said frame,

means bodily to move said frame to bring said member intooperative relation to apile of loose material which to be loaded, a.

plurality of cutting devices mounted at the forward edge of said shovel, and a plurality of reciprocating devices to actuate said cutting devices.

1.0. In a loading machine ofthe class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon the frame, an extension of said frame projecting'forwardly of said conveyor and having an inclined surface over which material may slide onto said conveyor when said frame extension is thrust beneath a pile of loose materiahineans bodily to move said supporting frame towards "the material to beloaded, andimpact devices independent of said moving means to drive said: extension forwardly.

11. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon the frame, an extension of said frame projecting forwardly of said conveyor and having an inclined surface over which material may slide onto said conveyor when said extension is thrust beneath a pile of loose material, means bodily to move said supporting frame towards the material to be loaded, a plurality of cutting devices mounted at the forward edge of'sai'dextension, and a pluralitytof reciprocatingdevices adapted to actuate said cutting devices. l

12. In a loading machine of theclass'described, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon" said frame, an extension of said frame projecting forwardly of said conveyor and having an inclined surface over which material may slide onto said conveyor when said extension is Cir in operative relation to a pile of loose material, means bodily to move said supporting frame towards the material to be loaded, longitudinally extending guideways formed in said frame extension, a plurality of cutting devices movable in said guideways, and a plurality of reciprocating hammers adapted to drive said cutting devices forwardly in said guideways. I

13. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon said frame, an inclined shovel-like member carried by said frame in advance of said conveyor, means bodily to move said frame to bring said member into operative relation to a pile of loose material which is to be loaded, and intermittently acting means to urge the forward edge of said member forwardly relative to said material.

14:. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted on said frame, an inclined shovel-like member carried by said frame in advance of said conveyor,

means tending to advance said member into operative relation to a pile of loose material which is to be loaded, and means independent of said advancing means to exert an intermittent force tending to move said member as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a loading machine of the class de scribed, the combination of a supporting frame, a conveyor mounted upon said frame, an extension of said frame projecting forwardly of said conveyor and having an inclined surface over which material mayslide onto said conveyor when said extension is brought into operative relation to a pile, of loose material, means bodily to move said supporting frame towards the material to be loaded, longitudinally" extending guideways formed in said extension frame, av plurality of cutting devices movable in said guideways, and means to actuate said cutting devices as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support, a substantially wedge shaped member in front of said conveyor, a movable tip for said member, and means for intermittently moving said tip relative to said member to make a cutting or dislodging thrust.

17. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support, a substantially wedge-shaped member in front :of said conveyor, a plurality of 'movable tips for said member, and means for moving said tips relative to said member to makecutting and dislodging thrusts.

18. In a loading machine ofthe class described, the combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support,

a substantially wedge-shaped member in front of said conveyor, a plurality of independently movable tips for said member, and means for moving said tips independently relative to said member to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

19. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support, a

substantially wedge shaped hollow member in front of said conveyor, a movable tip for said member housed therein, and means housed within said member for moving said tip relative thereto to make a cutting and dislodging thrust.

20. In a loading machine of the class described, the combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support, a substantially wedge-shaped hollow member in front of said conveyor, a freely movable tip housed in said member, a hammer device in said, hollow member to strike blows 011 saidmovable tip, and means for actuating said hammer.

21. In a machine of the class described, the, combination of a movable support, a conveyor mounted on said support, a substantially wedge-shaped hollow member in front of said conveyor, a freely movable tip housed in said member, a fluid pressure hammer device mounted in said member, and fluid pressure means for actuating said hammer device to strike blows on said movable tip and cause it to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

22. In a machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge shaped member, a movable cutting and dislodging tip at the front end of said member, and means for imparting intermittent movements to said cutting and dislodging tip.

23. Ina machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member, a plurality of movable cutting and dislodging tips at the front end of said member, and means housed within said member for imparting intermittent movements to said cutting and dislodging tips.

24:. Ina machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped member, a plurality of movable cutting and dislodging tips at the front end of said member, and means housed within said member for imparting independent intermittent movements to said cutting and dislodging tips.

25.111 a machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising asubstantially wedge-shaped member, a plurality of movable cutting and dislodging tips mounted in guideways in the lower part of said member and projecting forwardly thereof, a plurality of hammer devices housed within said member, and means for striking said hammer devices against said movable tips to cause them to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

26. In a machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped hollow member, a plurality of cutting and dislodging tips substantially wedge shaped in form mounted in guideways in the lower part of said member and projecting forwardly thereof, a plurality of hammer devices housed within said member, and means for striking said hammer devices against said movable tips to cause them to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

27. In a machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped hollow member having a plurality of guideways in its lower part and a plurality of hammer chambers within it, a plurality of cutting and dislodging tips'mounted in, said guideways and extending forwardly of said wedge shaped member, a plurality of hammers in said hammer chambers, and means to strike said hammers against said tips to cause them to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

28. In a machine of the class described, a

cutting and dislodging device comprising a members extending from said tips into the hammer chambers, a plurality of hammers in said hammer chambers, and means for causing said hammers to strike said anvils to cause said tips to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

29. In a machine of the class described, a cutting and dislodging device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped hollow member having a guideway in its lower part and a hammer chamber within it, a freely movable cutting and dislodging tip mounted for reciprocation in said guideway, an anvil member extending rearwardly from said tipinto said hammer chamber, a reciprocable hammer in said chamber, and means to actuate said hammer intermittently to strike said anvil and cause said tip to make cutting and dislodging thrusts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES E. WVAXBOM. 

